Economy 7 Or 10

TILTNTURN

We are moving to a house with economy 7 . What we know is that it heats the storage radiators and water through the night , what we want to know is > Would it be cheaper to run tumble drier and washing machine through the night or any other houshold electrical item for that matter {ie dishwasher} or is it purely the heaters n hot water. We are thinking if thats the case of going onto Ecconomy 10 so that we can use the heavy load items during the off pek hours of 1pm till 4pm . Thanks in Advance . Lesley

vivatifosi

Hi Tiltnturn,

With my E10 the afternoon hours only cover the heating and do not allow me to run my washing machine etc. I would check with the electricity company as to what they allow before considering switching. It may also be the case that they don't allow new E10 customers (I spoke to OFGEN about this last week and they said that they were only aware of one company that is at the moment).

Mine's_a_guinness

I have economy7, although don't have storage heaters. I try and run dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer overnight. I also try to get everybody to have a shower before 8.30am (7.30 in winter) but that's not as easy! I'm not sure what percentage of electricity you need to be using at night for it to be a cost effective plan but, on average, I use about 30% during the night.

barbarap39

I've had E7 for 20 years and it's saved me a fortune. Your meter will automatically change from Normal to Low (E7) at the E7 hours so all electricity used during these hours is at the reduced rate. I bought a timer plug and set my washer to come on during the E7 hours. I now have a washer with a delay button and set it to coincide with E7. If you use a dryer, dishwasher etc, it would be worth using timer plugs on these too. I can't remember the exact rates but E7 is around 2/3rds cheaper.

TILTNTURN

Will an Irn Bru n a packet of Smokey Bacon do?

TILTNTURN

Ok Im confused so Barb n Mines a bud can use all your equipment and reap the benefits but poor Viva does not get the benfits , is this at any time over the 3 times ofr Econ 10 or just in the afternoon . Im depressed , I need a box of Chardonnay !

vivatifosi

Hi tilt,

I do get the cheap leccie for non-heating, but only in the night. Have a dishwasher with a timer on and get the OH to do put the washing on when he leaves for work early. But you'd get that with E7 anyway. I called OFGEN to complain that there were no capped E10 tariffs but there are capped ones for E7 (they didn't seem interested). If the price is going to skyrocket (as forecast) you might be better capping E7 than going for E10 for daytime hours.

PS, mine's a bloody mary and a packet of mini cheddars...

TILTNTURN

I`M CONFUSED .COM Some sights say that only storage heaters and hot water tanks run of a separate circuit for Economy 7 and not any other items ie Washing Machines dishwashers etc etc . Im assuming all your circuits work of the same one as your storage heaters.

vivatifosi

Hi tilt,

My meters (and I can't speak for anyone else) take three readings. I think I'm right in saying one is for all standard price electricity, one is for all cut price electricity for water and heating, and the third is for cut price electricity in the night for any other use (eg TV when watching a late film, washing machines, etc). I definitely have 3, and think this is how they are split. Sorry, am not at home so can't tell!

barbarap39

Hi again Tilt, I have one meter that gives two readings, Normal and Low (E7). My E7 times are 10.30pm-12.30am and 2.30-7.30am. I had the storage heaters removed after I moved in about 20yrs ago and stopped using the immersion heater when I had a gas combi boiler fitted nearly 5yrs ago but my electric meter has never changed. All electricity I use during these times are at the Low rate, ie. lights, TV, dvd, PC, mobile and battery chargers, hairdryer and straighteners on work days, washer, dishwasher etc etc. I've read other threads on the same subject and there are lots of variations depending on area and supplier. Is it possible for you to ask the present owner exactly what they've got? If not, you may have to wait until you move in. Sorry, not much help really!

Mine's_a_guinness

I have one meter with two readings. The economy 7 I have is for all electricity used between 12.30am and 8.30am and then when the clocks go back in October between 11.30pm and 7.30am (or so my supplier tells me, but that would make 8 hours not 7 so I'm not 100% sure). I get more benefit from it at this time of year as it's easier to get everybody in the shower before 8.30, but in winter there's no way I can get them all out of bed and in the shower for 7.30.